Bo'ness 0 - 0 Aberdeen

Blackwell stood between Bo'ness and victory on Saturday. In last week's issue I commented on the confidence shown by the Aberdeen goalkeeper against Partick Thistle He had difficult work to perform against the Firhill team, but his duties at Bo'ness were such that he had scarcely an idle moment, so to speak. Blackwell was, without exaggeration, brilliant in this game, and but for him Aberdeen would have sustained a double defeat from the League "babes" this season. He was thoroughly tested in the first half, but it was after the interval that he was seen at his beat. Everybody knows the fine service rendered by the Englishman since he joined the Pittodrie staff. Harry, like every other goalkeeper, has had his good and bad times, but Blackwell at his best is just as good a goalkeeper as there is in Scotland. The end of the season is at hand. Blackwell is giving great displays, and on his present form the Pittodrie management need not worry about the last line of resistance for next season.
As I have already stated, Blackwell saved Aberdeen from defeat at Bo'ness. Yet a word of praise is due to those who valiantly guarded him when it was possible to do so. One must remember that the homesters were a desperate lot in the second half. The fact that Raith Rovers were four goals down by the interval at Brockville was communicated to them. This made them all the more keen, and during the second period the Aberdeen citadel was subjected to a terrific bombardment from all ranges and angles. Jackson and Livingstone fought back with all the energy and skill they possessed until the left back became a casualty under the severe strain. He went to outside left. His place was taken by Smith, who has previously fallen back from the vanguard to assist in defence. Smith once again proved that he is an excellent back. In fact, I like him better as a defender. He gloried in the "fun," kicked and tackled in a manner which suggested that he had been playing at back all his days, a position held and adorned by his illustrious father in days gone by. Jackson, too, played heroically. There was no time for polish, and the peerless right back did his part well.
The half-backs got little chance to develop attack. McHale was a tower of strength in the middle, and with head and feet he repelled many dangerous onslaughts. Black and McDermid also took their share of the gruelling in a manner which reflected credit on them. Cheyne and Yorston, during the most trying period of the game, were in the rear doing their bit in helping to prevent the Bo?ness forwards from scoring.
Thus in the second period Aberdeen had two forwards. Livingstone was of little use after his injury, while even Love found time to go back and assist in defence. Merrie ploughed a lonely furrow in the second period. He must be given credit for the fact that all on his own he tried to force a way through the home defence, and on two occasions he nearly succeeded. He put vigour into his work, and his single handed attacks always relieved the pressure on those behind him. At the same time, I felt that if he had had someone up with him occasionally, full points might easily have gone to the Don, for the Bo'ness defence was far from reliable even against Merrie.
There can be no denying the fact that Bo'ness ought to have won this match, but they will seldom meet such a dour and dogged defence as Aberdeen's. The Dons went all out to prevent Bo'ness from winning and they succeeded.

Source: Bon-Accord, 24th March, 1928

ABERDEEN GET A POINT AT BO'NESS. Blackwell's Clever Display.

A sterling defensive display earned Aberdeen a point at Bo'ness, where no goals were registered. On a cold, bleak afternoon, Newton Park was swept by a strong cross-wind which gave Aberdeen an advantage in the first half, and favoured Bo'ness in the second. There were only about 3000 spectators. Aberdeen failed to utilise the assistance the wind gave them in the first half, and were as often on the defensive as Bo'ness, but came nearer to scoring. In the second half, Bo'ness attacked for the greater part of the time, but Aberdeen concentrated on defence, and although Blackwell's goal had many narrow escapes, the home team failed to score. For the last thirty-five minutes of the game Aberdeen were handicapped by injury to Livingstone, who went to outside left, Smith taking the left back position.
The honours the game went to the Aberdeen defence, who played a great game. Blackwell, in particular, was brilliant and was quite unbeatable. He effected many fine saves, and seldom clear of danger after the interval, never made the slightest mistake. Jackson, Livingstone (until his injury), and Smith played superbly at back, and McHale at centre half was always prominent with strong tackling. With the team adopting defensive tactics to such an extent, the forwards did not get the support necessary for their success. Merrie was practically the only Aberdeen forward in the second half, and frequently executed long individual runs which came to grief because no colleagues were up to assist him. Under pressure, the Bo'ness defence was none too sound, and the forwards lost numerous opportunities through their erratic finishing.

BLANK PERIOD.

Bo'ness were first dangerous, and following a corner kick, Clark shot wide from a favourable position. For a time Aberdeen were confined to defence, but Bo'ness raids only produced byes, and on Aberdeen's first excursion Cheyne sent wide. A long shot by Duff was safely negotiated by Blackwell. Aberdeen found the wind troublesome, and Cheyne ballooned with a first-time shot after sound work by McDermid and Smith. A long return by Livingstone was cleared by Simpson, who later did well to pull down a touch-line shot by Smith. After this Bo'ness monopolised the attacking for a time, but Blackwell was not seriously tested. Following a run and centre by Love, Smith had a terrific shot finely stopped by Simpson. At the other end, following a corner, Blackwell fisted clear from Lynas, and when Aberdeen retaliated, Merrie had a terrific shot blocked by Hume, and Simpson had difficulty in getting rid of a high ball from Love. Subsequently, Merrie completely missed the ball after working into position. Blackwell ran out and kicked away from Martin when the latter was about to shoot, and later Lynas shot narrowly over after an individual effort. Following a square by Love, Simpson swooped down on a shot by Smith, and cleared from a crowd of players. Towards the interval Bo'ness attacked in determined fashion, but Wardrope, with only Blackwell to beat, sent wide. The Aberdeen goal had another escape just afterwards when Wardrope swept the ball inches high. Following this Aberdeen forced three corners in quick succession, but there was no scoring to half-time.

BUSY BLACKWELL.

With the wind in their favour, Bo'ness attacked on resuming, and Martin and Wardrope both went near with good shots. From a free kick Middleton just missed the goal with Blackwell at full length. A free kick by McHale had the home goalkeeper in action, but Aberdeen were soon forced back on defence, and Martin shot high after a solo effort. Following a corner kick, Yorston and McHale headed out balls that might have counted, and Cottingham and Wardrope shot weakly when well placed. Several corners fell to Bo'ness, but defence prevailed on each occasion. Wardrope raised the hopes of the home crowd when he got clean through, but his terrific shot was brilliantly deflected by Blackwell. At this stage Livingstone and Smith changed places, and the deputy back immediately warmed to his work, effecting several fine tackles and clearances. Blackwell picked the ball from Wardrope'e feet, and cleared several crosses from the wings. Following a breakaway by Merrie, Simpson had to clear from near the touch line, and later, Yorston and Cheyne had shots blocked. Bo'ness returned to the attack, and Blackwell's charge had a series of narrow escapes, several shots flashing inches wide, and the keeper just managed to reach a ball that had been deflected off Jackson. Following this he dived to the foot of the post stop a header by Wardrobe. Towards the close Aberdeen rallied and several raids headed by Merrie had the home defence in difficulties, but generally the balance of play greatly favoured Bo'ness, who forced several corners, but could not pierce a resolute defence.

Source: Press & Journal, 19th March 1928